Prices, ratings and stock were checked on Amazon on October 20, 2026. Specs from the older page are marked as such and were not retested.
The Honeywell compact portable AC has a new model number and a very honest second BTU rating. Here is what it means and what to buy instead if you want more reviews.
Table of Contents
What Changed Since the Old Review
The old page reviewed the Honeywell MO08CESWK. Amazon today lists the MO08CESWK6, which looks like the same compact unit with a newer number on the end. Another Honeywell 8,000 BTU listing showed a price of $559.00, which looks off for a unit this size, so it is left out here. The picks below are the ones with normal prices and plenty of reviews.
The 4,000 BTU Truth
Eight thousand BTU sounds like a mid-size window unit. The old page gave a DOE number of 4,000, and the current MO08CESWK6 listing on Amazon shows 9,100 BTU ASHRAE and 6,100 BTU SACC. Either way, the second number is the one that counts, because it is the heat the unit actually moves out of the room at test conditions. A real 6,100 BTU handles about 250 square feet in a shaded room, and the old 4,000 figure would be closer to 150 to 200. The 300 square foot claim is a best case. Run the numbers in the BTU calculator before you trust any box.
Who This Size Is Really For
A small bedroom. A home office. A dorm. A tiny studio with one window. It is a bad fit for a sunny living room or a kitchen that doubles as an oven. If the room has a west window, go up a size or add blackout curtains.
Here is where small portables are going: smaller on the box, stricter in the lab. Brands now print two numbers, the old ASHRAE one and the DOE one. For the Honeywell MO08CESWK the gap on the old page was 8,000 versus 4,000. Expect that honesty to spread, because shoppers are starting to read the fine print.
2 Small-Room Portable ACs
Rechecked on Amazon on October 20, 2026. Prices, ratings and buttons are below.
Price on Amazon: $279.99 | 4.1 stars from 1,173 ratings (checked October 20, 2026)
The Honeywell MO08CESWK6 is the version of the compact Honeywell that is on Amazon today. Treat it as the closest match, not as proof that the older MO08CESWK specs still apply. It costs $279.99 and has a 4.1 rating from over 1,170 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $279.99 | 4.0 stars from 16,340 ratings (checked October 20, 2026)
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT lists 9,000 BTU ASHRAE and 5,300 BTU SACC, with rooms up to 400 square feet. It costs $279.99, with a 4.0 rating from over 16,000 ratings. Our own Black+Decker BPACT08WT review goes deeper.
The downside is that the 8,000 BTU class is shrinking. Makers prefer to push bigger, pricier units with apps and inverters. A basic compact portable may turn into a rare find, and the leftovers will be sold by sellers who copy old specs. If a listing quotes 300 square feet for 4,000 real BTU, do the math yourself.
Setup, Hose and Window
Compact portables use a single hose, about 70 inches long on the old Honeywell. Keep it short and straight. Seal the window kit with weatherstrip so hot air does not leak back in. A tidy install can add a few degrees of real cooling for free.
Noise
The old page called the unit quiet, thanks to dual motors. Any portable is louder than a window unit because the compressor sits in the room. For sleeping, set it to cool the room first, then switch to fan. If silence is the goal, read our guide to the best small window air conditioners.
The Water Question
Most small portables evaporate their own water and blow it out the hose, so they drain rarely in dry weather. In humid weather, plan for a drain hose or a pan. It is the number one surprise for first-time owners.
The Pick
Want the nearest thing to the old Honeywell? The MO08CESWK6. Want the bigger crowd of owners? The Black+Decker 9,000 BTU. Both are priced the same today. For a wider look, see small portable air conditioners and the list of the best 8,000 BTU air conditioners.
FAQ
Is the Honeywell MO08CESWK still sold?
Amazon lists the MO08CESWK6, which looks like the same compact unit with a newer number.
How much does 8,000 BTU really cool?
The old page says 4,000 BTU on the DOE test. That is about 150 to 200 square feet in a shaded room.
Does a small portable AC need a drain?
Often in humid weather. Plan for a drain hose or a pan.
Is 8,000 BTU enough for a bedroom?
For a small shaded bedroom, yes. For a sunny one, go up a size.
Final Word
Size for the DOE number, not the box number. The MO08CESWK6 or the Black+Decker 9,000 BTU will do a small room well.
What comes next: more dual-hose compacts, more Wi-Fi, and prices that creep up a little each summer. If a small room is your only need, buy before the heat wave, not during it.
Related Guides
Keep going with small portable air conditioners, best small window air conditioners, best 8,000 BTU air conditioners, Black+Decker BPACT08WT review and BTU calculator.
